One major commandment of journalism: If thou art a hack, thou mustn&rsquo;t flack.

So imagine our surprise when we realized the spokeswoman for October 2011, the group occupying Freedom Plaza, is Lisa Simeone, host of the radio program &ldquo;Soundprint,&rdquo; heard every Sunday at 11 p.m. on Washington&rsquo;s public radio affiliate, WAMU. Simeone is also host of the NPR show &ldquo;The World of Opera.&rdquo;When we asked Simeone about whether she was the host of &ldquo;Soundprint,&rdquo; she said, &ldquo;Well, I work in radio still, but this is totally different.&rdquo;

Huh. Different, how?

&ldquo;I&rsquo;m a freelancer,&rdquo; she said.

OK ...

&ldquo;A journalist is always attached to journalism,&rdquo; WAMU News Director Jim Asendio said. He also told HOH that WAMU uses the same code of ethics as NPR.

&ldquo;Just substitute WAMU for NPR,&rdquo; he said. (Since she kinda works for both, we just added.)

&ldquo;NPR [and WAMU] journalists may not engage in public relations work, paid or unpaid,&rdquo; the code of ethics declares. &ldquo;Exceptions may be made for certain volunteer nonprofit, nonpartisan activities, such as participating in the work of a church, synagogue or other institution of worship, or a charitable organization, so long as this would not conflict with the interests of NPR [and WAMU] in reporting on activities related to that institution or organization.&rdquo;

&ldquo;Soundprint&rdquo; is no longer produced by WAMU, though it airs on the station on Sundays.